Seventy-two law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2011.

Of the 72 officers feloniously killed, 23 were killed in arrest situations, 15 were ambushed, 11 were involved in performing traffic pursuits/stops, nine were involved in tactical situations, and seven were answering disturbance calls. Five of the slain officers were investigating suspicious persons/circumstances; one was conducting an investigative activity, such as surveillance, searches, or interviews; and one officer was killed while transporting or maintaining the custody of prisoners.

"It's a disturbing trend that law enforcement administrators across the nation take very seriously," said Colonel Kerry Pettingill, chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. "Our instructors, at the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, do their best to stay on top of defensive tactics training in an effort to keep our troopers' skills and awareness at a high level. Officer safety is a top priority in our mission to provide public safety."